Gao Rui froze, alarmed by Ruyi's sudden collapse. He instinctively caught her, but before he could say anything, a searing pain lanced through his own skull. The sharp cries from the rest area made his heart sink further.
Moments later, the door to the rest area burst open, releasing a panicked flood of people screaming as they rushed out. The metallic scent of fresh blood wafted through the night air, carried by a chilling breeze.
Years of experience in combat had honed Gao Rui's instincts. Ignoring the pain splitting his head, he hauled Ruyi's unconscious body toward his car. Just as he fumbled with the keys, a guttural, bone-chilling roar split the air. The sound intensified the stabbing pain in his head, blurring his vision and causing his hands to tremble uncontrollably.
The keys clattered uselessly against the lock. Before he could open the door, Wen Xinyu stumbled toward him, clutching her head and groaning in pain, supported by another woman from her group.
Behind them, the wall of the rest area crumbled with a deafening crash. A hulking, blood-red creature emerged, its roar slicing through the chaos as its long tail lashed out, grabbing one unfortunate man. His agonized scream was drowned out by the grotesque sound of flesh being torn apart.
The sight jolted Gao Rui into action. With one glance, he saw his team scrambling into their vehicles. The civilians from Wen Xinyu's group, however, were still flailing in panic, scattering in all directions.
"See you at Yun'an Base!" Gao Rui barked before dragging Ruyi into the passenger seat and slamming the door. He spared Wen Xinyu a glance, her desperate gaze meeting his as she struggled to climb into the back of the vehicle.
Gao Rui's military SUV, modified for combat, had ample space, but its rear was packed with supplies. Wen Xinyu and Shiliu managed to squeeze themselves in, though the fit was tight.
"Xinyu, help me!" Qiao Huixin's scream tore through the night.
Wen Xinyu turned just in time to see Qiao Huixin being dragged backward by the creature's whip-like tail. Her heart clenched with frustration. You're just a stepmother. I've already done enough by bringing you this far. What more do you want?
But with so many onlookers, especially Gao Rui, she couldn't afford to abandon her façade. Summoning a look of anguished concern, she cried out, "Auntie Qiao!" She made a show of struggling to leave the car, only to have Shiliu pull her back.
"Are you insane? That thing will kill you in seconds! Even your daughter's not going—what are you thinking?" Shiliu shouted, holding her firmly.
Wen Xinyu let herself be restrained but kept up the performance. "Let me go! I have to save her!"
Qiao Huixin's pleas grew more frantic. "Ruyi, save me! Ruyi, please help your mother!"
The desperate cry reached Ruyi as she regained consciousness. Using the breathing technique the Sovereign had taught her, she calmed the throbbing in her head enough to take control. Without hesitation, she opened the car door and leapt out.
Qiao Huixin was her mother—flawed and often cold, but still the woman who had carried her for ten months and raised her. No matter how bitter the past, Ruyi couldn't let her die like this.
Gao Rui, still clutching his own aching head, tried to stop her. "You'll get yourself killed!" he growled. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he sighed and handed her his personal combat knife.
Ruyi accepted the blade without a word, her speed and agility evident as she dashed toward the monster. Qiao Huixin clung desperately to a stone pillar, but the creature's immense strength dragged her closer and closer.
Her resolve crumbled when she saw Ruyi approaching. Tears streamed down her face.
Ruyi didn't waste time with words. She swung the knife at the creature's tail, cutting deep enough to make it release Qiao Huixin with a roar of pain. As the monster turned its fury on her, Ruyi dodged its attacks with the grace of a seasoned fighter, shouting back at Qiao Huixin, "Get to the car!"
Qiao Huixin stumbled toward a nearby vehicle, where the driver immediately sped off, leaving Ruyi alone to face the enraged beast.
Though Ruyi's endurance had been honed by the Sovereign's trials, the creature's relentless attacks and the lingering pain from its psychic assault left her struggling. She noted its exposed, crimson flesh and deduced that its strength lay in its tail. If she could get close enough to its torso, she might have a chance to end it.
"It's using psychic attacks! Stay sharp!" Gao Rui shouted from a distance.
Ruyi was startled to see him still there, his hand pressed against his temple as he tried to focus.
"Get out of here! I'll manage!" she yelled back, hoping he would take the chance to escape. She didn't want to owe him another favor, especially since his departure would allow her to vanish into her space.
"Leave? Over my dead body," Gao Rui muttered, his tone laced with grim determination.
Just then, Shiliu's voice rang out. "She said she can handle it! We need to leave before the zombies get here!"
The sound of countless feet stomping against the pavement confirmed her fears. The unmistakable growls of approaching zombies sent a chill through the group.
"Zombies! They're coming!" Shiliu shrieked.
Gao Rui turned and saw the swarm—dozens, maybe even hundreds of undead, charging toward them. His curses filled the air.
"Ruyi, now!" he barked, his voice commanding.
Ruyi gritted her teeth, glancing at the advancing horde. The creature wasn't letting up, and she was running out of time. With no other option, she feigned a misstep, allowing its tail to wrap around her. Clutching the knife tightly, she prepared to strike the creature's vulnerable torso as it dragged her closer.
The stench of its rotting breath assaulted her senses as its fangs came within inches of her face. Just as she raised the knife for a killing blow, a crackling bolt of lightning struck her arm, forcing her to drop the weapon.
Pain shot through her as Wen Xinyu's voice called out weakly, "I'm so sorry, Ruyi! My head hurts—I couldn't aim properly! I didn't mean to!"
"Wen Xinyu, you miserable—!" Ruyi's furious curse was cut off as she pushed against the creature's snapping jaws with all her might. Her anger burned hotter than her fear.
Through the chaos, Shiliu dragged Wen Xinyu back into the car. Gao Rui glanced at Ruyi, his jaw tight, before reluctantly turning the key.
The SUV roared to life, leaving Ruyi surrounded as the horde closed in. Gao Rui's last glance at her held an unspoken promise—or perhaps regret—as he sped away.